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syllabus

Writing Berlin and the Middle East: What survives in cities?

What survives in cities? Everyone will investigate this question, but each from their own disciplinary perspective and background. A historian might trace layers of memory. An economist might follow networks of exchange. A literature student might collect stories that persist. We meet intensively at the start to establish our shared inquiry around Berlin, then gather periodically to share what we’re discovering. Each student develops a substantial piece of writing that approaches our central question through their own lens. The course reveals how different ways of seeing generate different kinds of knowledge and writing. No prior knowledge of Berlin or urban studies required.


Week 1 (Oct 15, Wed 10-12): Introductions + Walking Exercise

Week 2 (Oct 22, Wed 10-12): Disciplinary Approaches

  • Bring one example of how your field studies cities
  • Discussion: “What does each approach try to answer? What does it miss?”

Week 3 (Oct 29, Wed 10-12): Identifying Tensions

Week 4 (Nov 5, Wed 10-12): Why Care About Your Tension?

Week 5 (Nov 12, Wed 10-12): Draft Development (no meeting!)

Note: have your initial drafts ready by Week 6 (Nov 19)

Week 6 (Nov 19, Wed 10-12): Draft Sharing Session

Week 7 (Nov 26): Individual Writing (no structured session on campus) online consultation in my personal webex room

Week 8 (Dec 3, Wed 10-12): Cross-disciplinary Reading

Week 9, 10, 11: Individual Writing (no structured session on campus) online consultation in my personal webex room

Week 12 (Jan 14, Wed 10-12): Final Gathering Before Deadline

Week 13: Individual Writing (no structured session on campus) online consultation in my personal webex room

Week 14: Individual Writing (no structured session on campus) online consultation in my personal webex room

Week 15: Individual Writing (no structured session on campus) online consultation in my personal webex room

First deadline: Week 14 (Jan 28, 2026)

Second deadline: Week 16 (Feb 11, 2026)


Assignment Details

Final Project: Written investigation of 5,000 words approaching “What survives in cities?” through your disciplinary lens while engaging with Berlin as case study.

Process Requirements:

  • Participation in all collaborative sessions
  • Engagement with draft-sharing and peer reading exercises
  • Willingness to let your approach be shaped by others’ perspectives

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Evidence of learning from collaborative process
  • Depth of engagement with the central question
  • Originality of disciplinary approach
  • Quality of writing and argumentation